A SURPRISE FOR CHRIS.

It was New Year’s Eve. It should have been a very happy night, but not for young Chris. He rushed into his mother with tears rolling down his flushed cheeks.

‘Jingo has gone,’ sobbed Chris. to his mother, who was at the kitchen table cutting sandwiches for their meal. ‘I have hunted everywhere for him, but he must be lost.’

Jingo was Chris’ pet dog, and every day he enjoyed romping and playing on the back lawn when he came home from school. Chris taught Jingo to obey as well as tricks with the ball. Often Chris’ friends visited especially to watch Jingo performing. Now Jingo had disappeared.

‘What shall I do, Mum?’ he asked, cupping his head in his hands in despair as his mother cut the tempting sandwiches.

‘Ask God to help you,’ she said as she placed the food on plates.

However, although Chris prayed every day, Jingo failed to return.

‘Doesn’t God answer prayer?’ Chris asked, rather puzzled.

‘Of course He does,’ Mother answered. ‘God answers in different ways though, sometimes He says ‘Yes’, sometimes He says ’No’, and often He says ‘Wait’. It looks to me as though God is saying ’Wait’, Chris.’

Chris thought about that. He was not sure about waiting, but he trusted his Mother, and knew, too, that he should trust God. Yes. No. Wait.

In the meantime Chris looked forward to the party given by his aunt. He thought of her lemon pies, lamingtons, and coconut biscuits. Yum! So later that week Mrs Alley and Chris drove down to Aunt Marie’s home, where she welcomed them with her usual kiss and hug.

‘Come in, and welcome,’ she greeted, and almost before they had time to step into the kitchen for a cool drink, Aunt Marie surprised them, ‘Do you know anyone who would like a collie dog?’ My neigbours are too old to care for their dog, Bruno, and they asked me to find someone who would look after him. Come and see him.’

Chris hurried to the back verandah, and knelt down to pat the dog.

‘She is a beautiful dog, so quiet and gentle, but full of tricks.’ Aunt Marie saw Chris’ delight, for to him the dog sounded like Jingo., obedient, quiet, and able to perform some tricks.

Chris clapped his hands with delight. ‘ I know someone, Aunt Marie. You are looking at him right now,’ and Chris told her of his lost Jingo, and how he had prayed. .

‘Well, in this case, God’s answer was ‘Wait’, and after tea I will take you to Mr and Mrs Browning, and when they meet you, they will know you will care for Bruno.’

When Mr and Mrs Browning met Chris and his mother, they knew that Bruno would have the best care possible. Chris delighted them when he assured them.

‘I will bring Bruno to see you when we come to visit Aunt Marie.’ The old folk beamed with delight.

Chris certainly knew that God answered prayer when He said, ‘Wait’.

‘Woof. Woof. Woof,’ barked Bruno, as Chris led him away.

Later Chris heard how Jingo never recovered from an accident.

‘God knew how you felt, Chris., and provided Bruno through the Browning’s kindness.’

Chris nodded, and Mother and son thanked God for His care for a young lad..